DHS Policy & Strategy Advisor

Guidehouse; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 98,000 - 163,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

401(k) Plan

Tuition Reimbursement

Mobility Stipend

Paid Holidays

Job summary

Guidehouse is seeking a Strategy & Policy Advisor in Washington, DC to support the Department of Homeland Security. You will partner with DHS senior leadership across six integrated areas—strategic alignment, analytics, automation, process improvement, executive secretariat support, and content development—to advance policy execution and long‑term strategic initiatives.

You will produce executive‑level briefings, strategic reports, and high‑visibility deliverables while coordinating governance,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree required.
• 3+ years of experience in strategy, policy, program management, or related field.
• Strong writing and communication for senior‑level audiences.
• Ability to collaborate effectively in fast‑paced, high‑visibility environments with diverse stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Advise senior DHS leaders on strategic priorities, policy issues, and organizational initiatives that support departmental mission objectives.
• Conduct policy research, analysis, and stakeholder engagement to inform leadership decisions and develop actionable recommendations.
• Prepare executive‑level briefings, reports, decision memoranda, strategic communications, and other high‑visibility deliverables.
• Support governance, strategic planning, and performance management activities, including coordinating executive meetings, tracking action items, and monitoring progress toward organizational goals.
• Lead and coordinate cross‑functional projects and special initiatives, driving collaboration across DHS components and stakeholders to advance strategic outcomes.

Skills

Strong writing

Collaboration skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Job description

What You Will Do

The Strategy & Policy Advisor will support the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This role provides high‑visibility, mission‑critical support across six integrated task areas involving strategic alignment, analytics, automation, process improvement, executive secretariat support, and content development. The consultant will work closely with DHS senior leadership, cross‑component stakeholders, and strategic planning teams to advance department‑wide policy execution and long‑term strategic initiatives.

Job Family

Strategy & Transformation Consulting

Travel Required

None

Clearance Required

Ability to Obtain Public Trust

Responsibilities Include The Following

• Advise senior DHS leaders on strategic priorities, policy issues, and organizational initiatives that support departmental mission objectives.
• Conduct policy research, analysis, and stakeholder engagement to inform leadership decisions and develop actionable recommendations.
• Prepare executive‑level briefings, reports, decision memoranda, strategic communications, and other high‑visibility deliverables.
• Support governance, strategic planning, and performance management activities, including coordinating executive meetings, tracking action items, and monitoring progress toward organizational goals.
• Lead and coordinate cross‑functional projects and special initiatives, driving collaboration across DHS components and stakeholders to advance strategic outcomes.

What You Will Need

• Must be able to OBTAIN and MAINTAIN a Federal or DoD "PUBLIC TRUST"; Candidates with an ACTIVE PUBLIC TRUST or SUITABILITY are preferred.
• Bachelor's Degree
• THREE (3) or more years of experience supporting strategy, policy, program management, management consulting, or a related field
• Strong writing and communication skills for senior‑level audiences.
• Ability to collaborate effectively in fast‑paced, high‑visibility environments with diverse stakeholders.

What Would Be Nice To Have

• Experience supporting DHS, federal policy organizations, or government strategy and operations initiatives.
• Knowledge of DHS mission areas, including immigration enforcement, border security, counterterrorism, international affairs, or other homeland security functions.
• Familiarity with DHS headquarters operations, including policy coordination, Executive Secretariat (ExecSec) processes, and engagement with senior executives and political appointees.
• Experience supporting strategic planning, performance management, organizational modernization, or digital transformation initiatives within the federal government.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex data, develop dashboards and visualizations, and translate findings into actionable recommendations for leadership.
• Experience with process improvement, workflow design, and automation tools (e.g., Power Automate) to improve operational efficiency and reporting.
• Exposure to AI‑enabled analytics, data‑driven decision support, or emerging technologies in a government environment.
• Experience supporting political appointees.

The annual salary range for this position is $98,000.00-$163,000.00. Compensation decisions depend on a wide range of factors, including but not limited to skill sets, experience and training, security clearances, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs.

What We Offer

Guidehouse offers a comprehensive, total rewards package that includes competitive compensation and a flexible benefits package that reflects our commitment to creating a diverse and supportive workplace.

Benefits Include

• Medical, Rx, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Personal and Family Sick Time & Company Paid Holidays
• Position may be eligible for a discretionary variable incentive bonus
• Parental Leave and Adoption Assistance
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Basic Life & Supplemental Life
• Health Savings Account, Dental/Vision & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
• Student Loan PayDown
• Tuition Reimbursement, Personal Development & Learning Opportunities
• Skills Development & Certifications
• Employee Referral Program
• Corporate Sponsored Events & Community Outreach
• Emergency Back-Up Childcare Program
• Mobility Stipend

About Guidehouse

Guidehouse is an Equal Opportunity Employer–Protected Veterans, Individuals with Disabilities or any other basis protected by law, ordinance, or regulation.

Guidehouse will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable law or ordinance including the Fair Chance Ordinance of Los Angeles and San Francisco.

If you have visited our website for information about employment opportunities, or to apply for a position, and you require an accommodation, please contact Guidehouse Recruiting at 1-571-633-1711 or via email at [e-mail]. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodation.

All communication regarding recruitment for a Guidehouse position will be sent from Guidehouse email domains including @guidehouse.com or [e-mail]. Correspondence received by an applicant from any other domain should be considered unauthorized and will not be honored by Guidehouse. Note that Guidehouse will never charge a fee or require a money transfer at any stage of the recruitment process and does not collect fees from educational institutions for participation in a recruitment event. Never provide your banking information to a third party purporting to need that information to proceed in the hiring process.

If any person or organization demands money related to a job opportunity with Guidehouse, please report the matter to Guidehouse’s Ethics Hotline. If you want to check the validity of correspondence you have received, please contact [e-mail]. Guidehouse is not responsible for losses incurred (monetary or otherwise) from an applicant’s dealings with unauthorized third parties.

Guidehouse does not accept unsolicited resumes through or from search firms or staffing agencies. All unsolicited resumes will be considered the property of Guidehouse and Guidehouse will not be obligated to pay a placement fee.